Latest News From Pipestone

As someone who thrives on outdoor adventures, I eagerly anticipate the warmer weather and the lively buzz that comes with spring. But it’s also the time when our barn ventilation systems kick into high gear,

Data analysis is the process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information. However, without proper data analysis, you may draw the wrong conclusion.

In pig farming, maximizing genetic potential is a constant pursuit. Despite perceptions that pigs are the “easy part” compared to humans, the reality is ensuring optimal conditions involves overcoming various hurdles.

For the U.S. swine industry, 2023 has been a year most farmers would like to forget. However, this time, it's not because of disease issues. Here are three predictions for pig health in 2024 by Pipestone's Joel Nerem.

As swine producers, you all pay a health tax at the end of the year, whether you know it or not. This tax is paid on every pig and reflects the cost of less-than-perfect health in an operation.

When we consider the number of stressors wean pigs face, it’s no surprise that starting pigs in the nursery can be challenging. So, the question becomes, what can we do to help?

In southwestern Minnesota, Preston Maurer works alongside his dad, Rick, on their family farm where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hogs. After he returned home from college, they found themselves stretched thin.

Take a step back and look at the big picture of animal health in your operation. Is your pig flow designed to prevent disease spread between groups, start pigs better at weaning and maximize performance potential?

Streptococcus suis is a normal inhabitant of the respiratory tract and is found in all swine herds. However, it becomes a problem when it expresses virulent factors that cause disease.

Recently, a producer in northwest Iowa came to us with a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae problem, writes Pipestone veterinarian Emily McDowell. Here's a look at one elimination case study.

Forty-two producers were surveyed in the summer of 2022 to better understand their perspectives on wean-to-market biosecurity. The results pointed to a noticeable gap, says Pipestone's Rachel Stika Jensen, DVM.

Family businesses are often complex and making the decision to join the family farm is no different. Here’s a list of questions the next generation should consider about the family business.

Hybrid rye is gaining traction as an alternative feed stuff in the upper Midwest. Compared to conventional rye, the hybrid varieties have shown to be better yielding, less susceptible to ergot and more drought tolerant.

As swine producers, you all pay a health tax at the end of the year, whether you know it or not. This tax is paid on every pig and reflects the cost of less-than-perfect health in an operation.

There are several ways to evaluate feed cost and feed performance in wean-to-market pigs, says Pipestone's Jacob Koepke. Each method can provide a different answer for the producer about the “best” way to feed a pig.

What are the greatest factors that influence pig health? Most will say sow farm health, pig density and area disease pressure. While these are all true, Evan Koep, DVM, says there’s a factor that often gets overlooked.

With winter upon us, there are many things to keep in mind when it comes to ventilation in the barn. Here are eight things to remember as you brave the cold this season. 

In the constant microscopic tug-of-war, genes for antibiotic resistance have been around as long as bacteria. The more pressure you put on bacteria, the more they deploy defensive measures. Spencer Wayne, DVM, reflects.

Three drivers influence cost of production today: facilities, weaned pigs and feed. Feed cost accounts for over 60% of the total cost of production, so what can you do to keep it in check?

Hot summer days mean added heat stress and reduced growth performance when pigs are at their highest value. Hayden Kerkaert of Pipestone shares how to maintain or improve growth performance during the summer.

How does a good welfare program allow for continuous improvement to promote outstanding animal husbandry and provide quality care for animals? Carissa Odland, DVM, says it comes down to training, tools and tracking.

The pork industry is a buzz with carbon reduction goals and even carbon neutrality. Pipestone's Roger Cochrane shares strategies farmers can use to reduce carbon dioxide emission equivalents and improve sustainability.

The use of air filtration systems on sow farms has been proven to reduce the incidence of airborne illnesses, however, many swine operations still operate without one. Here are reasons why producers should reconsider.

Everyone likes a deal! Who doesn’t? But sometimes the deal isn’t as good as what we thought and we don’t figure that out until after the fact. The same thing can happen with nutrition or diet formulation. 

Cara Haden, associate swine veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services, offers three key questions to ask yourself as you consider the role of antibiotics in your operation in 2021.

During unfavorable economic times, your business relies on the working capital you’ve created in the good times. Here are strategies to grow that working capital.

As harvest gets under way in some parts of the country and wraps up in others, many farmers will be turning their attention to getting their manure pits pumped out and preparing for winter. Here are a few reminders.

Here are five strategies that may be helpful in the midst of pressures from low prices.

How do you know when it's time to try an autogenous vaccine? Dr. Evan Koep of Pipestone Veterinary Services weighs in on a strategy that more and more pig herds are utilizing.

Slow your pigs down and watch weights closely to know when they’re unmarketable, says Spencer Wayne, DVM, with Pipestone Veterinary Services. He encourages producers to do their math and estimate profitability.

Several areas of research at Pipestone are showing promise to help swine producers improve both pig health and bottom line in 2020.

As the seasons change, thoughts of Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome virus plague producers. Adam Schelkopf, DVM, with Pipestone Veterinary Services, shares his thoughts on a tool in the PRRS control toolbox.

Pigs can survive without air for three minutes, without water for three days and without feed for three weeks. Those figures might not be exact science, but Pipestone's Jon DeJong thinks they tell a compelling story.

Temperatures are increasing. Is your barn ready for the hot days of summer? Here are 5 tips to avoid and reduce heat stress in your herd.

Make sure your barn is ready for increasing summer temperatures.

Preventing just one new virus introduction makes the installation and maintenance of an air filtration system worth it for Pipestone Veterinary Services,

What should you do to prevent a PEDV infection? And if your herd gets PEDV, how can you survive it? Here’s help.

The PEDV storm came and went. PEDV seems to have faded into the background of daily life. However, when it hits a sow farm, it is every bit the monster it was when we first saw it. It’s time for a review.

Everyone who works with pigs is likely aware of the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) across Europe and Asia. So the question becomes – what can we do to prepare our farms for potential foreign animal disease?